VISITORS to the Stellenbosch Winelands have increased by more than 300% - from 107 000 to 451 000 people - over the last five years, reportedly due to the increase in the number of cellars in the area and the expansion of tourist facilities on the farms.
These figures were released by consultants Tourism Synergy following a similar study conducted by the Cape Technikon in 1992.
The 1992 study found that there were 26 wine cellars in Stellenbosch at the time, visited by 515 830 people, compared with the 1999 study which recorded 1,67 million visits to 104 cellars.
Given that each tourist visited a number of farms, Tourism Synergy adjusts the figures to the figures quoted in the opening paragraph.
The top three wine farms visited were Spier, which recorded 380 000 visits last year, followed by Delheim (130 000) and Stellenbosch Farmer's Winery (105 000).
"Part of the success of the upsurge in visitors can be attributed to the introduction of restaurants, entertainment centres and craft shops on the wine farms. This diversification allows visitors to not only savour the wines, but enjoy fine cuisine while surrounded by the beautiful mountain scenery of the Boland," says Peter Krug, chairman of the Stellenbosch Tourism Association.
He also attributes the increase to Stellenbosch's close location to Cape Town.
"If one links the history of Stellenbosch and its plethora of hospitality and entertainment options to that of the 'winelands' experience, it's clear that the town meets the various expectations of the local and international visitor."
Stellenbosch is expecting even more visitors this year as Cape Metropolitan Tourism's "Secret Season" campaign enters its second year.
(Adele Mackenzie)
